AUM vs. Columbia College

Comparable Facts

Compare Auburn University at Montgomery in Montgomery, AL with Columbia College in Columbia, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Auburn University at Montgomery is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (5,217 students vs. 1,725 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University at Montgomery is located in Montgomery, AL (Midsize City setting); Columbia College is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Auburn University at Montgomery is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University at Montgomery 13:1; Columbia College 12:1.

AUM vs. Columbia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AUM or Columbia College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Auburn University at Montgomery than Columbia College ($13,945 vs. $18,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Auburn University at Montgomery are 21.5% lower than at Columbia College ($7,368 vs. $9,390).
• Columbia College is 129% more expensive for in-state tuition than AUM (about $12,514 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $9,700.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.5% higher at Columbia College than at Auburn University at Montgomery (about $1,546 more per year; $22,214.00 vs. $20,668.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Auburn University at Montgomery as at Columbia College (97% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College students is 111.2% larger than aid received by Auburn University at Montgomery students ($16,451 vs. $7,790).

AUM vs. Columbia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AUM or Columbia College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Columbia College and AUM.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Auburn University at Montgomery (1120) is 120 points higher than at Columbia College (1000).
• Incoming AUM students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 16 at Columbia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University at Montgomery 1036/1203; Columbia College 850/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University at Montgomery 18/24; Columbia College 14/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AUM - Test optional; Columbia College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: AUM Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at AUM (3.4).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than AUM (91.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.8% at AUM vs. 8.5% at Columbia College.

AUM vs. Columbia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AUM and Columbia College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Columbia College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Auburn University at Montgomery's (33%).
• Graduates from Auburn University at Montgomery earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,900 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Auburn University at Montgomery graduates have a $3,072 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($22,192 vs. $25,264).
• Among borrowers, AUM graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($229 vs. $261).
• More Columbia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AUM students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 42%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.